Chelsea hosted Manchester United in a classic Premier League encounter where Chelsea have only won twice in 10 against United but haven't lost or conceded at home under their new coach, Thomas Tuchel. Rashford has been used to getting the back of the net against Chelsea with 5 goals in 7 games against them. United are also unbeaten 6 times against Chelsea.
United would be desperate to go back to 10 points behind Manchester City who won against West Ham to open a 13 point gap and seeing Leicester City lose against Arsenal, it's a perfect time for United to get a breather from Leicester City. United are unbeaten in 13 domestic away games while unbeaten in 19 away games in all competitions.
Chelsea started brightly and almost got the first goal in the 2nd minute when a cross was intended for Giroud but Shaw's header knocked it off Giroud, much to his annoyance because he fancied his chance there.
Chelsea's attack was nullified in the 9th minute when a brilliant cross in by Hudson Odoi was cut out for a corner kick by Lindelof after Maguire missed it. Relief for United there.
United broke through in the 10th minute when a lofted pass set Rashford ahead but he was halted by Kante and he tried to improvise with another lofted pass to Greenwood who was standing in the box but the pass was cut out.
United got a freekick in the 14th minute and Rashford took it. The shot went right on goal but Mendy was on hand to punch it out. A lovely freekick from Rashford and an equally brilliant punch from Mendy. There was a penalty shout for United after and VAR checked to be sure. There was a touch to the hand from Hudson Odoi in the box but VAR still ruled it for no penalty. It was ruled out for lack of intent from Odoi.
In the 21st minute, Mason Mount found Odoi at the edge of the box and in one swoop, he hit a lovely half volley which was unlucky to miss by not so much. Odoi has been revived under Tuchel. He has been playing wonderfully. Ngolo Kante almost cost his team in the 24th minute when a misplaced pass was won by McTominay who found Rashford. Fred was just beside him but Rashford made a mess of the ball and Chelsea gathered it in the end.
De Gea with a terrible kick in the 31st minute and almost gifted Chelsea another attack but Giroud's long strike was nowhere near the post. United had a series of opportunities to get ahead but Chelsea's defence line stood resilient and United couldn't get that extra special final ball.
The half time ended 0-0 and there was nothing spectacular from both teams. They played with too much caution and too much respect for each other.
What a missed chance by Chelsea in the 49th minute when Chilwell played a ball into the box and it found Ziyech. He struck it and De Gea's big hand saved it and it found Reece James who wasted too much time before hitting his shot and Shaw brilliantly blocked his effort. Chelsea should have capitalized on that.
Greenwood had the opportunity to get United ahead in the 59th minute when his shot went just marginally off. A great chance there too. Not long after, Mason Mount ran the length of the field and should have scored but his effort was blocked off. What a run he had there. In the 67th minute, Fred had a curling effort go just wide too.
Lindelof took a ball off Timo Werner's feet in the 84th minute when a lovely ball from Reece James came into the box. It was an excellent delivery from Reece James.
Scott McTominay wasted a golden chance to play James and others in within a touching distance of scoring when Fred broke him free in the 90th minute. Rather than play it ahead, he played the pass backwards and the attack was nullified.
The game ended 0-0 and not really impressive to be truthful. This dab draw gave City an extended lead at the top of the table. This is the first time since 1921 that United and Chelsea played 0-0 twice in the same season. Chelsea's unbeaten run still extended and same with United as they have had 20 games away unbeaten runs too.
Thank you for your time.
My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.
Still me,
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.
Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.